CINCINNATI - University of Cincinnati head football coach Butch Jones announced 24 members of the 2011 recruiting class on Feb. 2, the beginning of the NCAA initial signing period for football.

In addition to the 24 signees, UC announced the addition of six preferred walk ons.

"We are very excited to welcome 30 individuals into our Bearcat family," Jones said. This has been a process that began a little over a year ago and is a culmination of a lot of individuals hard work and effort. We were able to attract a very high caliber of student-athlete to the University of Cincinnati and feel that we were able to address some program needs."

UC added eight recruits from the State of Ohio, including four products from the city of Cincinnati. The Bearcats also added commitments from California (2), Florida (7), Georgia (4), Indiana (1), Michigan (1), New Jersey (1), and Pennsylvania (1).

According to the experts, UC has put together its best ever recruiting class. Scout.com has the Bearcats ranked No. 37 in the country and second in the BIG EAST Conference. This marks the first time UC has cracked Scout's top 50 or been rated higher than fifth in its own league. Rivals.com has the Bearcats with a similar ranking at No. 39 out of 120 FBS schools.

UC locked up a pair of highly touted prospects with the commitments of running backs Jameel Poteat (Harrisburg, Pa./Bishop McDevitt) and Akise Teague (Youngstown, Ohio/Ursuline). Poteat is ranked as the No 15 running back nationally and ran for 1,734 yards and 31 touchdowns as a senior. Teague was named Ohio's Mr. Football for the 2010 season. He ran for 2,472 yards and scored 45 offensive touchdowns, helping lead Ursuline HS to the 2010 Ohio Division V State Championship.

Two recruits, Malcolm Murray (Glendale, Calif./Junipero Serra/Mt. SAC) and Shaquille Washington (Maple Hts., Ohio/Maple Hts.), enrolled in classes at UC in January and are participating in the Bearcats' offseason workout program.

"The excited aspect regarding this class is that many competed for championships throughout their high school careers and understand the expectations that surround the Cincinnati football program," Jones said.